Cape Town has once again proven that it's more than just a postcard-perfect destination, as the Mother City has officially been named the third happiest city in the world in Time Out's 2025 Happiest Cities Index , a recognition that places it firmly on the global stage as Africa's most joyful urban hub.
The annual survey, which polled over 18 000 residents across major cities worldwide, set out to discover where people feel the happiest about where they live. From the beaches to the mountains and vibrant streets in between, it seems Capetonians have plenty of reasons to smile.
The ranking places Cape Town just behind Abu Dhabi and Medellin in the global happiness standings, while making it the highest-ranked African city and the continents standout representative in quality of life measurements.